Machine for shaping and wiping uppers over a last

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed herein a lasting machine for shaping the upper over a last and wiping the lasting margin over the insole. The machine is equipped with a plurality of novel pincers which are arranged in two rows along the sides of the shoe in the machine, and the pincers are alternately operable to grip and pull the upper taut over the last and then wipe the upper over the insole. A set of rotary profile cams provides for quick positioning of the pincers as is needed to last right or left shoes, or shoes of various sizes. Furthermore, all pincers can be adjusted essentially perpendicular to the shoe, thus bringing about a position in accordance with the bottom contour of the last.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Henry von den Benken 2212 Centre St., West Roxbury, Mass. 02132 (21 l Appl.No. 823,080

[22] Filed May 8, 1969 [451 Patented Aug. 3, 1971 [54] MACHINE FOR SHAPING AND WIPING UPPERS Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson s wgs g ABSTRACT: There is disclosed herein a lasting machine for ng lgs.

shaping the upper over a last and wipmg the lasting margin [52] US. Cl 12/8.5, over the insole The machine is equipped with a plurality of novel pincers which are arranged in two rows along the sides [51] [Ill-C1 "A4311 21/00, of the shoe in the machine and the pincers are alternately A43d 29/00 operable to grip and pull the upper taut over the last and then [50] Fidd 01 Search 12/145, 12, wipe the upper over the insole A et of rotary profile cams provides for quick positioning of the pincers as is needed to l References Cited last right or left shoes, or shoes of various sizes. Furthermore, all pincers can be adjusted essentially perpendicular to the UNITED STATES PATENTS shoe, thus bringing about a position in accordance with the 2,212,552 8/ 1940 Rohrer 12/12 bottom contour of the last.

4 20,, 72 Ikiii'Npl sl 7/ IIIIFI'IIIIA PATENTEU AUG 3 l9?! SHEEI 1 0F 3 INVENTOR. Henry von den Ben/(en PATENTED AUG 3H7! 3,595,302

SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTOR. Henry von den Benken MACHINE BOB SHAPING AND WIPING UPPERS OVER A LAST The prior art has taught many times how to combine single lasting operations in one machine. For instance, lasting machines which combine pulling over and toe lasting have been quite successful in recent publications is shown the combined lasting of the toe end and the heel end of the shoe by one machine. However, all attempts to combine the side-lasting operation with other lasting operations in one machine, possibly in an all-around lasting machine, have succeeded only on flat shoe work with very soft uppers. This is due to the fact that the tools responsible for the side lasting do not possess quick adjustability, sufficient power, and operational speed.

it is the main objective of this invention to provide for pincers which are particularly suitable for side lasting. Since these pincers are operated and shaped in such a way that they can grip and pull the upper and then wipe it over the insole, hereafter they shall be called pincer-wipers. There are two rows of pincer-wipers located along the sides of the shoe in the machine. The pincer jaws, the pincer cylinders and all other members will probably not be wider than one-half inch each so that many pairs of pincer-wipers can be positioned alongside the shoe and can follow the contour of the last more easily. In order to give the pincer-wipers quick movability, they have been designed into a four-bar linkage of which one link is operable to change its length by means of a built-in cylinder and piston Another link takes in the slidable pincer jaw and the cylinder with piston which operates the pincer jaw. All pincer-wipers are yieldably associated with a set of rotary profile cams. Each of these cams has at least two contoured surfaces: the contour of one surface corresponds to the contour of the inside of an insole, the contour of the other surface corresponds to the contour of the outside of an insole. The tensioning of the upper over the last is accomplished essentially by the alternate operation of the cylinders and pistons which are built into the vertical links of the four-bar linkages. A cylinder located at either side of the shoe, takes care of the wiping operation, by moving the rotary cam and the pincerwipers in unison toward the center line of the shoe. Two other cylinders positioned underneath the bottom of the shoe, press in unison all pincer-wipers against the bottom of the last, thus providing for a good bond of the upper with the precemented insole.

Another objective of this invention is to keep the pincerwipers compact in the longitudinal direction of a shoe when they are arranged in two rows along the sides of a shoe in the lasting machine. Thus it is mechanically easier to combine the pincer-wipers with a conventional toe-lasting or heel-lasting machine, or both, making an all-around lasting machine. In such a combined lasting machine it is practical to keep the pincer-wipers stationary in relation to the center point of the last, but to let the tools for shaping and lasting the ends of the shoe move longitudinally to make up for the different lengths of various shoe sizes.

Another objective of this patent application is to disclose a practical method of lasting and handling a shoe when the pincer-wipers have been combined with a toe-lasting and heellasting apparatus into an all-around lasting machine.

The above-mentioned advantages and other features of the invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims.

IN THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a view taken along the line 1-1 of FIG. 2;

HO. 2 is a plan view of the lasting machine;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of insoles of different sizes;

FIG. 5 is a side view of shoe lasts of different sizes; and FIGS. 6-- Mi show a side view of the lasting tools of an allaround lasting machine in different positions.

Since the design and function of all pincer-wipers is identical, a detailed specification of one pair of pincer-wipers and their drive and adjustment means will be sufficient.

Since the design and function of all pincer-wipers is identical a detailed specification of one pair of pincer-wipers and their drive and adjustment means will be sufficient.

As shown in FIG. I, the mounting plates 10, 12 and 14 are parts of the frame of the lasting machine. Bracket 11 is firmly screwed on plate 12. The cylinder 16 is mounted on the parts I0 and comprises the piston 18 and the piston rod 20. By means of two nuts 22, the piston rod 20 is connected to the adjustment plate 24 but leaving enough clearance so that the piston rod 20 will not be distorted in case of piston movement. Adjustment plate 24 is movable around pivot point 26. Also firmly screwed on the adjustment plate 24 is a plurality of eyebolts 28, whose position on the adjustment plate 24 can be changed by means of two nuts 30. Cylinder 32, which is movable around pivot point 34 is connected to the eyebolt 28 (FIGS. 1 and 3). In the cylinder 32 is the piston 36 with piston rod 38 slidably located. The piston rod end 40 is pivotally connected to the pincer jaw 42. Pincer jaw 42, tracks 44, cylinder 46, and cylinder clevis 48, form a unit in which the pincer jaw 50, the piston rod 52 and the piston 54 are slidably located. The pincer jaw 50 is firmly combined with the piston rod 52. A roll 56 is positioned in the clevis 48. Also pivotally connected with clevis 48 is link 58 with fulcrums at points 60 and 62. It will be easy to recognize the four-bar linkage if adjustment plate 24 is considered as a stationary link. The other three movable links are as follows:

The first one: cylinder 32, piston 36 and piston rod 38;

The second one: pincer jaw 42, tracks 44, cylinder 46 and; clevis 48 The third one: link 58.

A frame 66 fastened on bracket 11 at pivot point 64 is also connected with mounting plate I4 by means of cylinder 70, piston 72, piston rod 74 and a bar 76. The hexagonal rotary cam 68 is rotatably located in the frame 66. The hand knob 78 (FIG. 2) is firmly connected to the rotary cam 68 and thus it is possible to rotate the cam 68 in the frame 66. In the lasting machine, each pair of pincer-wipers is yieldably associated with the rotary cam 68 by means of an extension spring 80.

As can be recognized in FIG. 3, the pincer-wipers have been adjusted vertically by means of the eyebolts 28 in accordance with the bottom contour of the last L. In addition to this approximate contouring, the wiping surface 82 of all pincerwipers has been shaped according to the bottom contour of the last, so that if all pincer-wipers were shown in an up position, the curvature of the wiping surface would substantially correspond to the curvature of the bottom of the last. After the contour of the wiping surface of the wiper-pincers has been established, this setting will be sufficient for all shoe sizes of a particular style, as is demonstrated in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 2 is shown the quick setting of the pincer-wipers according to the contours of a left or right shoe or the insole I, respectively. The drawing shows the insole l of a left foot.

In the lasting machine, the shoe will be positioned according to its longitudinal axis which goes through the center of the heel and toe end of the insole I. The axis of rotation 101 and 102 of the rotary earns 68 and 69 respectively, are positioned equidistant from the axis 100.

Each one of the rotary earns 68 and 69 has at least two contoured surfaces, of which one is identical with the inside contour, the other one identical with the outside contour of the insole. Therefore, in FIG. 2, the contours 103, 104 and 105 are identical and correspond to the outside contour of the insole I. Also the contours 106, 107 and 108 are identical and correspond to the inside contour of the insole. Ifthe left insole I would be turned around its axis 100, then its contour would correspond to the contour of a right insole. If the rotary earns 68 and 69 would also be turned 180, by means of a hand knob 78, the previous relationship of the rotary cams to the insole would be restored however for a right shoe.

All pincer-wipers, 12 of them are shown at each side of the shoe, in FIG. 2, are yieldably pulled against the contoured surfaces of the rotary cams 6d and as by means of extension spring tit) (lFlG. ll). Therefore, if rotary cam 6% or 69 is turned I80, all rollers as will follow the contour of the cam and bring all pincer jaws to a contour which is essentially identical with the contour of a left or right insole. Of course, this quick adjustment of the pincer-wipers would take place before a shoe is inserted into the lasting machine. Tests have shown that contoured surfaces for three shoe size ranges, -small, medium and large --are sufficient to bring the pincer-wipers in a good lasting position for all shoe sizes of the run. This is demonstrated in FIG. A which shows that the changes in sizes take place mostly at the heel and toe end of an insole, and only very little at the sides. in accordance with the results of these tests each rotary cam has been provided with six contoured surfaces: three for the inside contours of a shoe and three for the outside contours of a shoe, in accordance with small, medium and large shoe sizes. l'ieel support 96), toe support 92, and toe holddown 9d are conventional components of the lasting machine (fig. 3).

Having described the details of a four-bar pincer-wiper and the arrangement and adjustment of all pincer-wipers as a unit along the sides of a shoe in the machine, I shall now explain the function and operation of the same:

Before a shoe is inserted into the machine, all pincer jaws are open and are in an up position, as shown in H0. 11. Furthermore, they have been adjusted according to the bottom contour of the shoe by means of the eyebolts 2d and their nuts 36), and are set for a left or right shoe by means of the rotary cams as and as. As shown in H6. 3, all pincer-wipers have been grouped into A pincer-wipers and B pincer-wipers. This grouping is helpful in explaining the sequence of operation, even though no physical difference exists. All cylinders are operated by pressurized fluid, whose valving and control means are not shown in this patent application. First, all A pincer-wipers clamp the upper U by means of pressure fluid which comes from the common manifold 1120 and moves the piston M and its associated pincer jaw W against the pincer jaw d2. After clamping the upper U, all A pincer-wipers pull the upper down by the piston 36 which is pressurized by fluid from the common manifold 1122. During this operation the pincer-jaws of all B pincer-wipers stay in an up position and serve as an abutment for the pulling A pincer-wipers. By the pull of the A pincer-wipers the upper is pulled over the last and the lasting margin is pushed further down into the open jaws of all lB pincer-wipers. Now, all lB pincer-wipers are forced to close by pressure fluid coming from the common manifold ass. Thereby the B pincer-wipers prevent a snapping back of the tensioned upper U when all A pincer-wipers open and then move up against the insole l. Then all B pincerwipers pull down and tension the upper even more while all jaws d2 of the A pincer-wipers serve as abutment. Then the A pincer-wipers close and prevent a snapping back of the upper while the B pincer-wipers open and move up against the insole I. This alternate operation of gripping, pulling, and holding by the A pincer-wipers and B pincer-wipers could be repeated several times. However, it has been found that two operations are sufficient to tension the upper and locate all pincer-wipers as close to the insole as necessary for the subsequent wiping operation. This alternate operation and the outstanding flexibility of all pincer-wipers is achieved by the four-bar linkage desigi of the pincer-wipers and the extensive employment of pressurized fluids. It must be k pt in mind that the operating power of all pistons can easily be changed by adjusting the fluid medium to any suitable pressure. Also, pistons can be locked hydraulically into any position within their cylinders. Before the wiping operation starts, all pistons 1% will be hydraulically locked. Now, pistons 72 and '73 begin to move towards the center of the shoe, transmitting this movement over the piston rod M, bar 76, frame 66, rotary cams 68 and 69, rolls 56, tracks dd, jaws A2 and jaws i]. Simultaneously, a slight upward pressure is applied by the piston it} over piston rod 20, adjustment plate 2d, eyebolt 2%, cylinder 32 and piston rod 3ft. While the piston 72 continues to move towards the center of the shoe, all jaws 50 are allowed to open about one-eighth of an inch and are then looked hydraulically Now the lasting margin ,jof the upper can slip out of the jaws without being torn. The upward pressure of the pistons 18 assures a wiping pressure between the wiping surface @2 of the jaws 50 and the bottom of the last. At the end of the wiping stroke the piston 118 applies increased pressure, also called beddin g pressure. The upper is permanently bonded to the insole by ccment which was preapplied to the insole. After a short-holding time all pincer-wipers will go back to their starting position.

The multiple four-bar pincer-wipers which are arranged in two rows along the sides of a shoe in the machine and whose structure and operation has been described, could very well work as a side-lasting machine only. But they might also be combined with a conventional toe-lasting or heel-lasting machine. in this case, the number of pincer-wipers working on the sides of a shoe probably will be smaller than in an individual side-lasting machine, since the shoe manufacturer might want to last the rest of the shoe by some other means. However, in any case, it is practical that the center point 0 of the insole (FiG. A) is stationary in relation to the pincerwipers and that the apparatus for toe lasting or heel lasting makes up for the changes in shoe size.

As demonstrated in F168. 4! and 5, the changes to be made in a machine to accommodate different shoe sizes are made at the toe end and the heel end thereby minimizing changes necessary in the side-lasting apparatus. In other words, the toe-lasting or heel'lasting apparatus, if combined with a sidelasting machine, can be adjusted back and forth along the longitudinal direction of the shoe.

The four-bar pincer-wipers of this invention will be especially valuable when they are combined with a toe-lasting and heel-lasting apparatus into an all-around lasting machine. For such an all-around lasting machine a novel method of lasting and'handling a shoe has been developed which is demonstrated in the drawings and comprises the following steps:

I. The operator lays the upper U loosely around the last L, moves the last on the last pin (which is associated with the heel holddown Mil) and makes the heel holddown press the last against the heel support 142 and toe support M3 (M6. 6 and MG. 7).

2. Having both hands free, the operator lines up the upper U around the heel end of the last L and signals the lasting machine to move the heel band 144 towards the upper U, thus pressing the same firmly against the last L (FIG. 8).

3. Now he guides the toe portion of the upper U into the jaws M6 and M of the pulling over pincers, and signals the lasting machine to close said jaws and pullover the upper. if necessary he will correct the location of the upper on the last. (H10. 8 and FIG. 9).

4. The operator makes sure that both sides of the upper can be gripped by the jaws A2 and 50 of the pincer-wipers and then makes the lasting machine pull and last the sides of the shoe in the manner set forth in the specifications of this application.

5. After lasting the sides, the all-around lasting machine will almost simultaneously operate the heel wipers and the toe wipers R52 thus lasting the heel end and the toe end of the shoe (MG. 10).

lclaim:

f. A lasting machine for tensioning and wiping a shoe upper over a last wherein the improvement comprises: A plurality of pairs of pincers positioned in two rows along the sides of the shoe in the machine, each pair of pincers being operable to grip separately the upper of a shoe, to pull separately the upper substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the shoe prior to the wiping operation, and to use one of the jaws of each pair of pincers to wipe the lasting margin of the upper over the last.

2. A lasting machine according to claim l in which all pairs of pincers can be pressed in unison against the bottom of the last during or after the wiping operation.

3. A lasting machine according to claim I in which the wiping surface of the pincer jaws which work as wipers are shaped essentially to fit the bottom contour of the last.

4. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which the pairs of pincers grip the upper of the shoe alternately.

5. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which the pairs of pincers are operated by means of pressurized fluid.

6. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which the pairs of pincers can be positioned to fit the peripheral contour of the insole of the shoe by means of a cam.

7. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which the pairs of pincers can be positioned essentially to fit the peripheral contour of the insole of the shoe by means of rotary cams.

8. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which the pairs of pincers can be positioned essentially to fit the peripheral contour of the shoe bottom of left or right shoes by means of a set of rotary cams.

9. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which the pairs of pincers can be positioned essentially to fit the contours of the shoe bottom of left or right shoes by means of a set of cams, and in which the cams have multiple contoured surfaces which are essentially identical to the peripheral contours of various insole sizes.

10. A lasting machine according to claim I in which the pairs of pincers can be positioned according to a predetermined contour which is away from the last in the lasting machine but essentially identical to the peripheral bottom contour of the last in the machine.

11. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which said pairs of pincers are combined with a toe-lasting machine, and in which the distance between the toe-lasting machine and said pairs of pincers can be changed approximately along the longitudinal axis of the shoe in order to adjust for various shoe sizes.

12. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which said pairs of pincers are combined with a heel-lasting machine, and in which the distance between the heel-lasting machine and said pairs of pincers can be changed approximately along the longitudinal axis of the shoe in order to adjust for various shoe sizes.

13. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which said pairs of pincers are combined with a toe-lasting machine and a heel-lasting machine so as to provide for all-around lasting, and in which said pairs of pincers are not movable along the longitudinal axis of the shoe in the machine but the lasting tools of the toe-lasting and heel-lasting machine are movable approximately along said longitudinal axis in order to adjust for various shoe sizes.

14. A lasting machine for tensioning and wiping a shoe upper over a last wherein the improvement comprises: A plurality of pairs of pincers positioned in two rows along the sides of the shoe in the machine, each pair of pincers being operable so as to grip separately the upper of a shoe, both rows of pairs of pincers along the sides of a shoe being adjustable by means of a cam so as to conform substantially to the peripheral bottom contour of the shoe in the machine, and one of the jaws of each pair of pincers being operable so as to wipe the lasting margin of the upper over the last.

15. A lasting machine according to claim 14 in which said pairs of pincers alternately grip and pull the upper, thus being moved into proper position for the subsequent lasting operation.

16. A lasting machine according to claim 14 in which each pair of pincers is designed with a basic four-bar linkage, that is, one stationary and three movable links.

17. A lasting machine according to claim 14 in which one movable link is capable of changing its length by means of a built-in cylinder and piston.

l8.- A lasting machine according to claim 14 in which said pairs of pincers can be pressed against the bottom of the last by one or more fluid-operated cylinders during or after the wiping operation.

9. A astrng machine according to claim 14 in which said pairs of pincers are combined with a toe-lasting machine, and in which the distance between the toe-lasting machine and said pairs of pincers can be changed along the longitudinal axis of the shoe in order to adjust for various shoe sizes.

20. A lasting machine according to claim 14 in which said pairs of pincers are combined with a heel-lasting machine, and in which the distance between the heel-lasting machine and said pairs of pincers can be changed along the longitudinal axis of the shoe in order to adjust for various shoe sizes.

21. A lasting machine for tensioning and lasting a shoe upper over a last wherein the improvement comprises: A plurality of pairs of pincers positioned in two rows along the sides of the shoe in the machine, each pair of pincers being operable so as to grip separately the upper of a shoe, and said pairs of pincers being adjustable by one or more cams so that the rows of pairs of pincers correspond essentially to the peripheral bottom contour of a left or right shoe of various shoe sizes. 

1. A lasting machine for tensioning and wiping a shoe upper over a last wherein the improvement comprises: A plurality of pairs of pincers positioned in two rows along the sides of the shoe in the machine, each pair of pincers being operable to grip separately the upper of a shoe, to pull separately the upper substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the shoe prior to the wiping operation, and to use one of the jaws of each pair of pincers to wipe the lasting margin of the upper over the last.
 2. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which all pairs of pincers can be pressed in unison against the bottom of the last during or after the wiping operation.
 3. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which the wiping surface of the pincer jaws which work as wipers are shaped essentially to fit the bottom contour of the last.
 4. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which the pairs of pincers grip the upper of the shoe alternately.
 5. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which the pairs of pincers are operated by means of pressurized fluid.
 6. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which the pairs of pincers can be positioned to fit the peripheral contour of the insole of the shoe by means of a cam.
 7. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which the pairs of pincers can be positioned essentially to fit the peripheral contour of the insole of the shoe by means of rotary cams.
 8. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which the pairs of pincers can be positioned essentially to fit the peripheral contour of the shoe bottom of left or right shoes by means of a set of rotary cams.
 9. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which the pairs of pincers can be positioned essentially to fit the contours of the shoe bottom of left or right shoes by means of a set of cams, and in which the cams have multiple contoured surfaces which are essentially identical to the peripheral contours of various insole sizes.
 10. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which the pairs of pincers can be positioned according to a predetermined contour which is away from the last in the lasting machine but essentially identical to the peripheral bottom contour of the last in the machine.
 11. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which said pairs of pincers are combined with a toe-lasting machine, and in which the distance between the toe-Lasting machine and said pairs of pincers can be changed approximately along the longitudinal axis of the shoe in order to adjust for various shoe sizes.
 12. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which said pairs of pincers are combined with a heel-lasting machine, and in which the distance between the heel-lasting machine and said pairs of pincers can be changed approximately along the longitudinal axis of the shoe in order to adjust for various shoe sizes.
 13. A lasting machine according to claim 1 in which said pairs of pincers are combined with a toe-lasting machine and a heel-lasting machine so as to provide for all-around lasting, and in which said pairs of pincers are not movable along the longitudinal axis of the shoe in the machine but the lasting tools of the toe-lasting and heel-lasting machine are movable approximately along said longitudinal axis in order to adjust for various shoe sizes.
 14. A lasting machine for tensioning and wiping a shoe upper over a last wherein the improvement comprises: A plurality of pairs of pincers positioned in two rows along the sides of the shoe in the machine, each pair of pincers being operable so as to grip separately the upper of a shoe, both rows of pairs of pincers along the sides of a shoe being adjustable by means of a cam so as to conform substantially to the peripheral bottom contour of the shoe in the machine, and one of the jaws of each pair of pincers being operable so as to wipe the lasting margin of the upper over the last.
 15. A lasting machine according to claim 14 in which said pairs of pincers alternately grip and pull the upper, thus being moved into proper position for the subsequent lasting operation.
 16. A lasting machine according to claim 14 in which each pair of pincers is designed with a basic four-bar linkage, that is, one stationary and three movable links.
 17. A lasting machine according to claim 14 in which one movable link is capable of changing its length by means of a built-in cylinder and piston.
 18. A lasting machine according to claim 14 in which said pairs of pincers can be pressed against the bottom of the last by one or more fluid-operated cylinders during or after the wiping operation.
 19. A lasting machine according to claim 14 in which said pairs of pincers are combined with a toe-lasting machine, and in which the distance between the toe-lasting machine and said pairs of pincers can be changed along the longitudinal axis of the shoe in order to adjust for various shoe sizes.
 20. A lasting machine according to claim 14 in which said pairs of pincers are combined with a heel-lasting machine, and in which the distance between the heel-lasting machine and said pairs of pincers can be changed along the longitudinal axis of the shoe in order to adjust for various shoe sizes.
 21. A lasting machine for tensioning and lasting a shoe upper over a last wherein the improvement comprises: A plurality of pairs of pincers positioned in two rows along the sides of the shoe in the machine, each pair of pincers being operable so as to grip separately the upper of a shoe, and said pairs of pincers being adjustable by one or more cams so that the rows of pairs of pincers correspond essentially to the peripheral bottom contour of a left or right shoe of various shoe sizes. 